Daily GK Updates - 7th May, 2020

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Gujarat Assembly Passes Act to Allow Shops & Businesses Remain Open 24X7: ‘Gujarat Shops and Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 2019’ passed by Gujarat Assembly which came into force from May 1, 2019. The Act will allow the shops and other businesses in the state to operate 24×7. The Act replaced the Gujarat Shops and Establishments Act, 1948which prevented shops and other businesses from operating between 12 to 6 a.m. 

2. Last captive white tiger Bajirao dies at 18: The last captive white tiger ‘Bajirao’ at the Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Mumbai died at the age of 18. He was suffering from chronic ankylosis on the left shoulder and chronic senile generalised arthritis for the last four years. The tiger’s autopsy carried out by the pathology department of BVC indicated multiple organ failures along with old age as the probable cause of death.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Japan’s First Privately Developed Rocket 'Momo-3' Reached Outer Space: A Japanese aerospace start-up Interstellar Technology Inc. has successfully launched a first privately developed rocket ‘Momo-3’ into space.  The unmanned Momo-3 was launched from a test site in Taiki on the northern Japanese island of Hokkiado and reached about 110 kilometers (68 miles) in altitude before falling into the Pacific Ocean after 10 minutes of flight time.

2. ADB Launches $5 Billion Healthy Oceans Action Plan: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) launched a $5 Billion Action Plan for Healthy Oceans and Sustainable Blue Economies for the Asia and Pacific region at the 52nd Annual Meeting of ADB’s Board of Governors in Fiji. It will expand financing and technical assistance for ocean health and marine economy projects to $5 billion from 2019 to 2024.

3. SpaceX Launches Falcon 9 Rocket With Dragon Spacecraft: Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (Space X) launched its 17th commercial resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS) by using Falcon 9 rocket with Dragon Spacecraft. The 213-foot-tall rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. This mission is a part of NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) program, which uses commercial spacecraft to deliver cargo to the ISS.

4. The US Air Force Successfully Tested A Laser System To Shoot Down Multiple Missiles: The US Air Force Research Laboratory tested a laser system called Self-Protect High Energy Laser Demonstrator (SHiELD) at the US Army’s White Sands Missile range in New Mexico which successfully shot down multiple air-launched missiles while in flight. The system is designed for the purpose of protecting the aircraft from incoming surface-to-air and air-to-air launched missiles. 

5. IBSA Sherpas Meet Concluded In Cochin:  The IBSA (India, Brazil & South Africa) Sherpas’ Meeting, following the 9th IBSA Trilateral Ministerial Meeting, was held in Cochin. Secretary (Economic Relations) in the Ministry of External Affairs, Mr. T.S. Tirumurtiled the Indian delegation. Sherpas reviewed the progress made under IBSA, since their last meeting. The Sherpas also appreciated the work done by the IBSA Fund on Poverty and Hunger Alleviation which funded 31 projects spread over in 20 countries.

6. World Asthma Day 2019: 7 May: World Asthma Day is an annual event organized by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) on the first Tuesday in May to increase awareness about asthma and aims to improve the lives of people with asthma across the world. This year it was observed across the globe on May 7, 2019. The theme of World Asthma Day 2019 was ‘STOP for Asthma’.

Note: In 1998, the first World Asthma Day was celebrated in more than 35 countries in conjunction with the first World Asthma Meeting held in Barcelona, Spain.

7. Chandrayaan-2 to be launched in July this year: According to ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation), India's second lunar mission Chandrayaan-2 will be launched on a day between 9 and 16 July this year. Chandrayaan-2’s lander will touch down near the Moon's south pole on 6th September. The National space agency said Chandrayaan-2 will have three modules in it, an orbiter, a lander named Vikram and a rover known as Pragyan. Chandrayaan-2 will be launched using India's most powerful rocket GSLV-Mark-3.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Dragan Mihailovic Appointed As Coach Of Indian Volleyball Team: The Volleyball Federation of India appointed Serbian Dragan Mihailovic as head coach of the men’s national team in a move linked to the long term goal of Olympic Games qualification. Mihailovic has more than 25 years of experience as a coach. The VFI also announced the appointment of Pryemyslaw Gaszyoski and Valadimir Radosevic as the team’s physio trainer and physiotherapist respectively.

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. RBI Enhances Housing-Loan Limits Under Priority Sector Lending For RRBs, SFBs: The Reserve Bank of India has decided to enhance the housing loan limits for Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) and Small Finance Banks (SFBs) for eligibility under priority sector lending, in a bid to give them a level playing field with other Scheduled Commercial Banks. Henceforth, housing loans given by RRBs and SFBs to individuals up to INR 35 lakh in metropolitan centers (with population of 10 lakh and above) and INR 25 lakh in other centers.

2. Mastercard Announces $1 Billion Investment In India: Global card payments brand Mastercard has announced its plan of investing $1 billion in India operations over the period of next 5 years. About $350 million of the total amount would be invested in setting up a local payments processing center as per the Reserve Bank of India’s mandate to store all payments data locally. The rest of the investment will go towards existing services and expanding capacity among others. This is the first such processing center of the company outside of the US and could provide service markets such as Southeast Asia and Asia-Pacific.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

1. Vodafone Idea signs multi-million Dollar IT deal with IBM: Information Technology major ‘IBM’ announced signing a multi-million-dollar with Vodafone Idea Limited to deliver an enhanced customer experience to millions of connected consumers and businesses in India. This partnership will offer Vodafone Idea with a hybrid cloud-based digital platform to enable engagement with its 387 million subscribers. The new infrastructure platform would help remove constraints to the exponential growth of data usage driven by increasing consumption of video, streaming and digital commerce.

2. Microsoft Unveils Its Own Blockchain-Based Service: Microsoft has unveiled fully-managed Azure Blockchain Service that would simplify the formation, management, and governance so that businesses can focus on workflow logic and application development.  Instead of supporting cryptocurrency transactions, Azure Blockchain Service will let businesses develop their applications on its Cloud-based platform.

AWARDS AND HONOURS

1. G D 'Robert' Govender Conferred with V K Krishna Menon Award: GD 'Robert' Govender, an Indian-origin journalist in South Africa, has been honoured in the UK with 2019 V K Krishna Menon award for his outstanding contribution as a pioneer of decolonised journalism. The South Africa-born journalist was awarded posthumously during an event to mark the 123rd birth anniversary of the Indian diplomat and politician V K Krishna Menon. 

2. Israel honours 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War Hero Lt. Gen JFR Jacob: Israel honoured Lt. Gen. (retd) Jack Farj Rafael (JFR) Jacob, with a plaque on the Wall of Honour at the Ammunition Hill. Lt. Gen. (retd) JFR Jacob negotiated the historic surrender of Pakistani troops in Dhaka after the 1971 Bangladesh’s liberation war. Ammunition Hill was a fortified Jordanian military post in the northern part of Jordanian ruled East Jerusalem. Lt. Gen. Jacob (died in 2016 at the age of 92 years) served as a Lieutenant General in the Indian Army and later as a Governor of two Indian states-Goa and Punjab.

Note: The Wall of Honour at the Ammunition Hill pays tributes to the heroism and courage of Jewish soldiers who fought in the defence of their countries they lived in “implementing values of bravery, loyalty, commitment and dedication to a mission, leadership, creativity, camaraderie and sanctity of life”.

OBITUARIES

1. Noted Writer, Academician Maramraju Satyanarayana Rao Passes Away: Prominent writer and academician, Maramraju Satyanarayana Raopassed away following a cardiac arrest. He was 84. He was born at Jayyaram village in Mahabubabad district in Telangana. He had worked as professor of political science and registrar of Ambedkar Open University, Hyderabad.

Daily GK Updates - 6th May, 2020

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Bamboo Conclave held via Video Conferencing: Union Minister for the Development of the North Eastern Region (DoNER), Jitendra Singh, addressed a Bamboo Conclave through video conference on 03 May 2020 to discuss how country’s bamboo reserve can help strengthen its economy. It featured the participation of representatives of Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Union Ministry of Agriculture and various stakeholders from different sectors. The minister informed that northeast has 60 percent of India’s bamboo reserves. In the post-COVID-19 era, it is an opportunity for the Northeastern region to help India become world competitive and self-sufficient in this sector. For this, DoNER will work out a time bound plan for promotion of bamboo manufacturing and trade, and also work out feasibility of Public Private Partnership (PPP). Bamboo can be processed into multiple products such as bio-diesel and green fuel, wooden lumbers and plywood, which can change the entire face of the economy and create employment opportunities in multiple sectors.

2. DRDO Develops UV disinfection tower ‘UV Blaster’ To Sanitize High Risk Prone Areas: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed an Ultra Violet (UV) disinfection tower named ‘UV Blaster’ for rapid and chemical-free sanitization of high-risk areas where the flow of people is heavy and chances of infection is large. The equipment has been designed and developed by Laser Science and Technology Centre (LASTEC), the Delhi-based premier laboratory of DRDO, with the help of New Age Instruments and Materials Private Limited, Gurugram.

Features of UV Blaster: The disinfection tower can be used remotely through laptop or mobile phone using a WIFI link. The device is effective for disinfecting areas having large flow of people such as airports, shopping malls, metros, hotels, factories, offices, etc. It is also useful for high tech surfaces like electronic equipment, computers and other gadgets in laboratories and offices that are not suitable for disinfection with chemical methods. UV Blaster has six lamps each with 43 watts of UVC power at 254 nanometre wavelength for 360 degree illumination. The disinfection time for a room of about 12×12 feet dimension will be about 10 minutes. A 400-square-foot area can be sanitized within 30 minutes if the device is positioned at different places within the room.

3. Jharkhand Government Announces Three New Employment Schemes to Boost Rural Economy: The Jharkhand Government has launched three mega employment schemes for its people, especially the migrant labourers who are returning home from various states, in order to boost the rural economy of the state. The three new schemes are: ”Birsa Harit Gram Yojana”, ”Nilamber-Pitamber Jal Samridhi Yojana” and ”Veer Shahid Poto Ho Khel Vikas Yojana. These schemes will be run by state’s rural development department under MGNREGA mission, and aims to create about 300 million (30 crore) person days for MGNREGA. These schemes will enable the workers earn wages, and also help to bring in a long-term plan to provide steady income to the poor households.

(1) Birsa Harit Yojna: The aim of this scheme is to increase the forest cover. Around 5 lakh families will be given nearly 100 fruit bearing sapling on a lease for five years to preserve them, and MGNREGA will help in initial plantation, maintenance, land work etc. It would create 25 crore man-days for the key rural employment project.

(2) Nilamabar Pitambar Jal Samridhi Yojna: This is a water conservation scheme, in which government has envisaged to conserve 5 lakh crore litre water. This scheme would generate 10 crore man-days

(3) Poto Ho Khel Vikas Yojana: This schemes aims to make Jharkhand a sports powerhouse. The sportsmen and sportswomen would be given skill training by a skilled coach and there are plans to absorb them after completion of their skill programme. It aims at creating one crore man- days for MGNREGA

4. “NGMA KE SANGRAH SE” presented by National Gallery of Modern Art: National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi has presented a virtual program “NGMA KE SANGRAH SE”. This virtual program will showcase the rarely seen or unseen jewels from its repository for art lovers, artists, art connoisseurs, etc. This program is based on various weekly/daily themes from NGMA’s prestigious collections. The theme for the current week of the virtual program is “ARTIST BY ARTISTS” and has been dedicated to Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore due to his 159th birth anniversary on 7th May 2020. Various other exciting and thought-provoking themes are planned for the coming days and will provide art lovers, artists, art connoisseurs, students, teachers, an opportunity to see the rarely presented artworks from their homes.

5. CSIR-IGIB signs MoU with TATA Sons for licensing of COVID rapid diagnosis: Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB) has partnered with TATA Sons for licensing of KNOWHOW for FNCAS9 EDITOR LINKED UNIFORM DETECTION ASSAY (FELUDA) for rapid diagnosis of COVID-19. The partnership aims to provide license which will enable transfer of the knowledge for scaling up the KNOWHOW in the form of a kit in order to employ it for COVID-19 testing on ground as soon as possible. The main advantage of FELUDA is its affordability, relative ease of use as well as non-dependency on expensive Q-PCR machines. FELUDA has been designed for mitigating COVID-19 by mass testing with affordability & ease.

6. MCA constituted committee to enhance audit independence and accountability: The Corporate Affairs Ministry (MCA) has constituted a 7 member committee to examine the comments on the consultation paper floated by it for enhancing audit independence and accountability in the country. It will make recommendations for amendments in law, rules and standards. The panel has been asked to submit its report by June 30. It will address 5 “threats” for auditor independence: self-interest, self-review, advocacy, familiarity, and intimidation.

7. UP Government Launches Ayush Kavach App for Tips to Boost Immunity through Ayurveda: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched a mobile app named ‘Ayush Kavach’ in order to provide health-related tips and information about ayurvedic medicines to the people amid the coronavirus pandemic. Ayush Kavach has been developed by the Ayush Department of Uttar Pradesh. The ‘Ayush Kavach’ App will provide measures to boost immunity based on natural resources such as tulsi, clove and cinnamon to fight COVID-19. It also offers users the opportunity to seek advice from experts.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Ashok Michael Pinto nominated as US representative to IBRD: Indian-American lawyer Ashok Michael Pinto has been nominated by the United States President, Donald Trump as US representative to World Bank’s lending arm International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD). He has been nominated as US Alternate Executive Director of IBRD for the duration of 2 years. Pinto is currently serving as Counsellor to the Under Secretary for International Affairs at the United States (US) Department of the Treasury.

Note: World Bank Headquarters: Washington D.C., US; World Bank President: David Robert Malpass.

2. 50.37 lakh people internally displaced in India in 2019: UNICEF: More than five million people (50,37,000) were internally displaced in India due to natural disasters, conflict and violence in 2019 as per “The Lost at Home’ report”, published by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF). India has the highest number of new internal displacements in the world in 2019. Philippines, Bangladesh and China are on 2nd, 3rd and 4th spot respectively. The report is about the risks and challenges for internally displaced children and the urgent actions needed to protect them.

3. Amazon tops the BrandZ Top 75 Most Valuable Global Retail Brands 2020 Ranking: Amazon has topped the BrandZ Top 75 Most Valuable Global Retail Brands 2020 ranking. BrandZ ranking was unveiled by WPP and Kantar. It has a brand value of $ 415.855 billion Alibaba is on the second rank followed by McDonald’s on the third spot.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Badminton World Championships 2020 postponed: The Badminton World Championships 2020 has been postponed to November 2021. The tournament will be held at the Carolina Marin Stadium in Huelva, Spain. The Championship would be organised by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) and Spanish Badminton Federation (FESBA).

Note: Badminton World Federation Headquarters: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Badminton World Federation Founded: 5 July 1934; Badminton World Federation President: Poul-Erik Hoyer Larsen.

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. SIDBI to launch digital platform for SMEs: Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) is all set to launch a digital platform that will educate stakeholders in the small and medium enterprises (SME) ecosystem. 'India SME Services Platform' will give MSMEs information of operations, finance, credit and other services. It's webpage will show all schemes implemented by the govt, banks, and associations. It will give an opportunity to look for marketplace, documentation support and loan management.

2. IRDAI sets up panel to frame standard professional indemnity policy: The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has set up a panel to frame standard professional indemnity policy for insurance intermediaries that can be issued by all the insurers.

It is headed by Yegnapriya Bharat. Professional indemnity policy offers protection to professionals against potential claims for injury or loss. Other members of the panel are Umesh Rathod, Kasturi Sengupta, Surbhi Goel, and Najim B.

Note: HQ of IRDAI: Hyderabad, Telangana.

3. Krishnan Ramachandran appointed as new MD & CEO of Max Bupa: Krishnan Ramachandran has been appointed as the new managing director (MD) and chief executive officer (CEO) of Max Bupa Health Insurance. He succeeds Ashish Mehrotra. Prior to this, he has served as the CEO of Apollo Munich Health Insurance. He has over 23 years of experience in health insurance, healthcare and life sciences segments.

Note: Max Bupa Health insurance established: 2008; Max Bupa Health insurance Headquarters: New Delhi, India.

AWARDS AND HONOURS

1. DST Awards IIT Bombay Professor Saurabh Lodha with 2020 Young Career Award In Nano Science And Technology: Professor Saurabh Lodha, from Indian Institute of Technolgy (IIT) Bombay has been conferred with the 2020 Young Career Award in Nano Science and Technology. The award is presented by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. Lodha has received the award for his contributions in the development of logic transistor technologies, beyond silicon and nanoelectronic devices, based on two-dimensional Van der Waals materials. Using this technology, the electronic devices can perform faster by consuming less power and last longer that too with low failure rates. It can be used for any device including mobile phone, laptop, serves etc.

2. Joseph J. Landsberg, Richard H. Waring and Nicholas C. Coops Jointly Wins 2020 Marcus Wallenberg Prize: Three researchers Joseph J Landsberg (Australia), Richard H Waring (USA) and Nicholas C Coops (Canada), has won the 2020 Marcus Wallenberg Prize, presented annually for contribution in the field of forestry and forest industries. The trio have been awarded for their Physiological Principles Predicting Growth (3PG) model, developed to predict forest growth under changing environmental conditions. The purpose of the Marcus Wallenberg Prize is to recognize, encourage and stimulate path-breaking scientific achievements which contribute significantly to broadening knowledge and to technical development within the fields of importance to forestry and forest industries. The prize 2020 will be presented by King Carl Gustaf XVI of Sweden during a ceremony in Stockholm, Sweden & the prize money is 2 million Kronor.

3. Russian Prez Vladimir Putin Awards Commemorative WWII Medal to North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un: Russian President Vladimir Putin has awarded a Commemorative World War II medal to North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un on 5 May 2020 to mark the 75th anniversary of the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany. The medal has been conferred upon Kim Jong Un for his role in preserving the memory of Soviet soldiers who died on North Korean territory, fighting for its liberation. The award was presented by Russia’s ambassador in North Korea, Alexander Matsegora, to the country’s Foreign Minister Ri Son-gwon.

Note: Russia Capital: Moscow; Russia Currency: Russian ruble;

North Korean capital: Pyongyang; North Korea currency: North Korean won.

DEFENCE

1. Indian Navy launches Operation Samudra Setu: On 5th May 2020, the Indian Navy announced the launch of Operation ‘Samudra Setu’ (Sea Bridge), to repatriate (bring back) Indian citizens who are stranded abroad, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and are not able to return due to global grounding of airlines. This Operation will be carried out in phased manner. As part of Phase-1 of operation “Samudra Setu”, Indian Naval Ships Jalashwa and Magar are presently proceeding to the port of Malè, Republic of Maldives to start evacuation operations from 08 May 2020. This operation is being progressed in close coordination with Ministries of Defence, External Affairs, Health, MHA and various other Government agencies and State governments.

Note: Chief of Naval Staff: Admiral Karambir Singh.

OBITUARIES

1. Former Union Minister of India, Dalit Ezhilmalai Passes Away: Former Army Officer and Union Minister Dalit Ezhilmalai has passed away. He was 74. Dalit Ezhilmalai had served as Union Minister of State, Health and Family Welfare (Independent Charge) in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government in 1998–99. As an army officer he took part in the 1971 Indo-Pak war. He was also awarded with the K Sainik Seva Medal from the president for meritorious service in the Army 

Daily GK Updates - 5th May, 2020

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. World Bank Announces USD 400 million to enhance India’s Coastal & Marine Resources: The World Bank has approved USD 400 million multi-year financial support to India to enhance and safeguard the coastal and marine resources of the country. The financial aid will help to enhance the coastal resources by focusing on the rehabilitation of coastal beaches and mangroves; protect coastal populations from pollution, erosion, and sea-level rise; and improve livelihood opportunities for coastal communities. In the first phase, eight coastal States and 3 coastal Union Territories are selected. They are Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal, and Puducherry, Andaman, and Nicobar and Daman and Diu. These states and UTs will get USD 180 million in funding, for Enhancing Coastal and Ocean Resource Efficiency (ENCORE).

2. Aarogya Setu Mitr Launched for online medical consultations, ePharmacy and home lab tests: The mobile app Aarogya Setu launched by the Government of India has been upgraded to include a new private-public partnership initiative called Aarogaya Setu Mitr, to provide facilities for online medical consultations, ePharmacy and home lab tests. Upon selecting the Aarogya Setu Mitr, user will be redirected to a new website, and won’t allow access to individual data from Aarogya Setu, so its safe. This new app has been developed in collaboration & partnership of the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Prime Minister and Niti Aayog and will operate under them. The new feature will enable the user to get free online COVID-19-related consultations with doctors, book home sample collection for lab tests by any of the listed entities and also order medicines online from the listed platforms. The three private companies listed for free tele-consultation are Swasth, Tata Bridgital Health (healthcare initiative of the Tata Group), and Connectsense Telehealth (platform from Tech Mahindra).

3. Government Launches ‘The Saras Collection’ on GeM Portal for Exquisite Products of SHGs: The Government has introduced a new initiative, ‘The Saras Collection’ on Government e Marketplace (GeM) portal, which will showcase exquisitely handcrafted products from finest Self Help Groups in India. This new platform was inaugurated by Union Minister of Rural Development Narendra Singh Tomar on 4th May 2020 in New Delhi, to help SHGs in accessing government markets. The Saras collection has exclusively been designed to showcase the daily utility products handmade by rural Self Help Groups (SHGs), and to provide them with access to Central and State Government buyers. Under this initiative, sellers from SHGs will be able to list their products in five product categories: handicrafts, handloom and textiles, office accessories, grocery and pantry and personal care and hygiene. Through the medium of this new platform, government is trying to reduce human interventions in procurement process of products, enable transparency, cut cost, as well as bring inclusiveness and efficiency.

4. HP launches ‘Mukhya Mantri Shahari Rojgar Guarantee Yojna’: Himachal Pradesh Government decided to launch the ‘Mukhya Mantri Shahari Rojgar Guarantee Yojna’. In this Yojna, 120 days assured employment will be provided to people living in urban areas. It is being launched to revive the coronavirus-hit economy of the state. Adequate training will be given to the people for their skill upgrade if required. The cabinet also decided to provide an assistance of Rs 2,000 to each of the 1 lakh workers registered under the Building and Other Construction Workers Board. A presentation was also made regarding probable steps for the economic revival and reforms to be initiated after lockdown.

Note: Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh: Jairam Thakur; Governor: Bandaru Dattatraya.

5. Health minister Dr Harsh Vardhan Launches ‘COVID Katha’ – A Multimedia Guide for Mass Awareness: The Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan launched ‘COVID Katha’, a multimedia guide for mass awareness on the Covid-19 disease, via video conferencing on the occasion of 50th Foundation Day of Department of Science and Technology (DST) on 3rd May 2020. The book is a visual representation on A-Z of COVID-19, to spread the message of science and health, in special context to Coronavirus, in simple ways. It consists of themes, developed and researched by the National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC), under DST, in association with Assam-based Dr Anamika Ray Memorial Trust (ARMT) team and illustrated by Assam cartoonist Nituparna Rajbongshi.

Note: The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is a department within the Ministry of Science and Technology in India; DST Founded: May 1971; DST Headquarters: New Delhi.

6. Facebook partners with Bollywood for ‘I FOR INDIA’ fundraiser concert: Facebook has launched a home-to-home fundraiser concert, ‘I For India’. 100% proceeds from the fundraiser concert will go to the India COVID Response Fund managed by GiveIndia. Facebook has collaborated with some of the biggest stars in India and Bollywood for this. The four hour-long concert was live on Facebook on May 03, 2020 starting at 7:30 PM. The concert featured starts like A R Rahman, Aamir Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Alia Bhatt, Javed Akhtar, Anushka Sharma, Katrina Kaif, Nick Jonas, Priyanka Chopra, Lilly Singh, Virat Kohli, Ustad Zakhir Hussain.

Note: Chief Executive Officer of Facebook: Mark Zuckerberg; Facebook Headquarters: California, US.

7. West Bengal Government Launches ‘Exit App’ for Stranded People of Other States: West Bengal government has launched an app named ‘Exit App’ for the people of other state who are stranded in West Bengal due to the lockdown and want to return to their native place. The app can be downloaded from the ‘Egiye Bangla’ website of the state government. All those persons who are stucked in the state and want to go back to their native states can apply online through this ‘Exit app’. The permission for the same will be practically automatic and extremely easy.

Note: Chief Minister of West Bengal: Mamata Banerjee; Governor: Jagdeep Dhankhar.

8. NIAB develops portable coronavirus detection kit: National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB) have developed a portable device ‘eCovSens’, a biosensor that can detect the coronavirus in saliva samples. The device gives results within 30 seconds using just 20 micro-litres of the sample. The device consists of a carbon electrode and coronavirus antibody. The antibody is capable of binding with the spike protein of the virus. This portable bio-sensor can be connected to a computer or a cellphone via Bluetooth.

9. Railways start Shramik Special Trains for stranded people: Indian Railways start Shramik Special Trains to move migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists, students, and other persons stranded at different places due to lock down. These special trains will be run from point to point on the request of both the concerned State Governments. The Railways and State Governments shall appoint senior officials as Nodal Officers for coordination and smooth operation of these trains.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Dubai announced dates for Mega Expo Event: Dubai has announced new date for the Mega World Expo 2020 from 1st Oct 2021 to 31st March 2022. The announcement was made after two-third majority of Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) Member States voted in favour of postponing World Expo by 1 year. Expo 2020 Dubai theme: ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’. Expo 2020 Dubai will offer the world a unique platform to share the lessons, solutions, and ideas for a better tomorrow.

2. International Day of the Midwife: 5th May: Every year the, International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) celebrates the International Day of the Midwife on 5 May, since 1992, to recognise the work of midwives and raise awareness about the status of midwives for the essential care they provide to mothers and their newborns.

The theme for 2020 International Day of the Midwife is ‘Midwives with women: celebrate, demonstrate, mobilise, unite – our time is NOW!’. World Health Organization (WHO) has designed the year 2020 as ‘Year of Nurse and Midwife’ to commemorate the 200th birth anniversary of nursing pioneer Florence Nightingale.

Note: Director-General of the World Health Organization: Tedros Adhanom; Headquarters of WHO: Geneva, Switzerland.

3. World Hand Hygiene Day: 5th May: Every year, the World Health Organization (WHO) marks the World Hand Hygiene Day on May 5 to raise awareness among people across the globe about the importance of hand hygiene in warding off many serious infections. The theme for 2020 is ‘Save Lives: Clean Your Hands’. The day recognizes hand washing as one of the most effective actions that can be taken to avoid a huge range of infections including the COVID-19 virus.

Note: Director-General of the World Health Organization: Tedros Adhanom; Headquarters of WHO: Geneva, Switzerland.

4. World Asthma Day 2020: 5th May: World Asthma Day is observed every year on the 1st Tuesday of May. This year, World Asthma Day is observed on May 5, 2020. The day spread awareness about asthma disease and care around the world.  Whilst the primary focus is supporting the person with asthma, support may also extend to family, friends and caregivers. The theme of 2020 World Asthma Day is ‘Enough Asthma Deaths’. The first World Asthma Day was held in 1998.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Egypt tennis player Youssef Hossam banned for life on match-fixing charges: Egyptian professional tennis player Youssef Hossam has been banned from professional tennis for life for match-fixing, as per the official notification by the Tennis Integrity Unit on 4 May 2020. The 21-year-old Youssef Hassam was already provisionally suspended since May 2019, and now has been banned for life following his conviction on multiple match-fixing and associated corruption charges. Hossam has been found guilty of 21 breaches of the Tennis Anti-Coprruption Program from 2015 to 2019. The breaches include 8 cases of match fixing, 2 of soliciting other players not to use best efforts as well as two failures to co-operate with TIU investigation.

2. FINA postpones 2021 world championships to May 2022: Swimming world governing body, Federation Internationale de Natation (FINA) rescheduled the 2021 Fukuoka aquatics world championships to May 2022 to avoid a clash with the postponed Tokyo Olympics. The new dates for the aquatics world championship in the Japanese city are May 13-29, 2022.

Note: President of FINA: Julio C. Maglione; Founded of FINA: July 29, 1908; Headquarters of FINA: Lausanne, Switzerland

3. Discus thrower Sandeep Kumari gets 4-year ban for dope flunk: Discus thrower Sandeep Kumari has been banned for 4 years by WADA’s Athletics Integrity Unit for flunking a dope test. The sample was deemed clean by the NDTL officials during the National Inter-State Championships in June 2018 in Guwahati, Assam where Kumari had won the gold with a throw of 58.41 meters in the competition. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) then decided to test the sample of Kumari at its Montreal Laboratory in Canada. Her four-year ban, announced by WADA will begin from June 26, 2018 — the date of her sample collection. Kumari’s results from June 26, 2018 to November 21, 2018 will now be annulled.

Note: Headquarters of WADA: Montreal, Canada; President of WADA: Witold Bańka.

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. Ameyo rolls out video KYC engagement platform for Banking sector: A customer engagement technology provider, Ameyo has launched video KYC engagement platform for the banking and finance sector. The newly launched platform will eliminate the businesses’ requirement of physical KYC in accordance with latest RBI guidelines issued in January 2020. It is expected to decrease the customer onboarding process from the present 5-7 days to less than 3 minutes.

Note: Chief Executive Officer of Ameyo: Bishal Lachhiramka.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

1. US-based Silver Lake buys 1.15% stake in Reliance Jio for Rs 5,655.75 cr: American private equity giant Silver Lake Partners has announced to buy 1.15% stake in Jio Platforms for Rs 5,655.75 crore ($750 million). Jio Platforms, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) and works on digital apps, digital ecosystems and the mobile service. This deal values Jio Platforms at Rs 4.90 lakh crore on equity basis and Rs 5.15 lakh crore on enterprise value basis. It must be remembered that Facebook has also spent $5.7 billion (Rs 43,574 crore) to buy a 9.99 percent stake in Jio in April 2020. Although the deal with Silver Lake is smaller than the one with Facebook, it represents a 12.5% premium to the equity valuation of the Facebook investment.

AWARDS AND HONOURS

1. 3 Indian Photographers Win 2020 Pulitzer Prize for Their Coverage on Kashmir Conflict due to Article 370: Three Indian photographers Dar Yasin, Mukhtar Khan, and Channi Anand, from the Associated Press, have been awarded the 2020 Pulitzer Prize for Journalism in Feature Photography category. They have been awarded for their outstanding coverage of the lockdown in Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019, after Article 370 was revoked, and all lines of communications were snapped. The 2020 Pulitzer Prizes were announced on 4 May 2020. In all, winners have been announced in 15 Journalism and seven Book, Drama and Music categories.  A Special Citation was also awarded. Here is the complete list of winners:

JOURNALISM
Public Service	The Anchorage Daily News, in collaboration with ProPublica
Breaking News Reporting	The staff of the Louisville Courrier-Journal, Ky.
Investigative Reporting	Brian M. Rosenthal, The New York Times
Explanatory Reporting	The staff of The Washington Post
Local Reporting	Staff of The Baltimore Sun
National Reporting	T. Christian Miller, Megan Rose and Robert Faturechi, ProPublica and Dominic Gates, Steve Miletich, Mike Baker and Lewis Kamb, The Seattle Times
International Reporting	The staff of the New York Times
Feature Writing	Ben Taub, The New Yorker
Commentary	Nikole Hannah-Jones, The New York Times
Criticism	Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times
Editorial Writing	Jeffery Gerritt, Palestine Herald-Press
Editorial Cartooning	Bary Blitt, The New Yorker
Breaking News Photography	The photography staff of Reuters
Feature Photography	Channi Anand, Mukhtar Khan and Dar Yasin, The Associated Press
Audio Reporting	Staff of This American Life with Molly O’Toole of the Los Angeles Times and Emily Green, freelancer, Vice News
BOOKS, DRAMA & MUSIC
Fiction	The Nickel Boys, by Colson Whitehead (Doubleday)
Drama	A Strange Loop, by Michael R. Jackson
History: Sweet Taste of Liberty	A True Story of Slavery and Restitution in America, by W. Caleb McDaniel (Oxford University Press)
Biography: Sontag	Her Life and Work, by Benjamin Moser (Ecco)
Poetry	The Tradition, by Jericho Brown (Copper Canyon Press)
General Nonfiction	The End of the Myth: From the Frontier to the Border Wall in the Mind of America, by Greg Grandin (Metropolitan Books) and
The Undying	Pain, Vulnerability, Mortality, Medicine, Art, Time, Dreams, Data, Exhaustion, Cancer, and Care, by Anne Boyer (Farrar, Straus and Giroux)
Music	The Central Park Five, by Anthony Davis
SPECIAL AWARDS AND CITATIONS	Ida B. Wells

Note: The Pulitzer Prize is an award given for outstanding achievements in newspaper, magazine and online journalism, literature, and musical composition by Columbia University in the United States.

Daily GK Updates - 4th May, 2020

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. NMCG & NIUA organized IDEAthon on ‘The Future of River Management’: The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti and National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) organized an IDEAthon on “The future of River Management’ to explore how the COVID-19 crisis can shape River Management strategies for the future. It also emphasized about river management and also highlighted the interconnectivity of Cities with the River. This was an international webinar that brought together 500 participants. NMCG is the wing of National Council for Rejuvenation, Protection and Management of River Ganga, established in 2011 as a registered society under SRA 1860.

Note: Union Minister for Jal Shakti: Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.

2. HDFC Bank releases song #HumHaarNahiMaanenge to keep up hopes up amidst Covid-19 pandemic: HDFC Bank has launched a song titled #HumHaarNahiMaanenge (We will not lose) to keep up hopes up amidst the ongoing national lockdown and coronavirus pandemic. The song is composed by Oscar and Grammy Award-winning legend musician AR Rahman with lyrics by Prasoon Joshi and includes ensemble of artists. The track also brings together musicians including Clinton Cerejo, Mohit Chauhan, Mika Singh, Jonita Gandhi, Neeti Mohan, Javed Ali, Shruti Haasan, etc. HDFC Bank has announced that it will contribute Rs 500 each time the song is shared via social media towards the PM-CARES Fund.

Note: Headquarters of HDFC Bank: Mumbai, Maharashtra; MD of HDFC Bank: Aditya Puri.

3. UP Government makes Arogya Setu app compulsory: Uttar Pradesh Government has made it compulsory to download Arogya Setu app for those living in hotspot areas of the state. Administrative and health department officials have been directed for contact mapping of every case in hotspot area. Jan Dhan account holders are appealed to kindly use rupay card while transaction and withdrawal of money so that there will be no rush on the banks. 5 or more persons will not be allowed to gather as covid 19 management.

4. Himachal Pradesh govt to launch Mukhya Mantri Shahari Rojgar Guarantee Yojna: The Himachal Pradesh government will launch Mukhya Mantri Shahari Rojgar Guarantee Yojna under which 120 days’ assured employment will be provided to people living in urban areas. It is being launched to revive the coronavirus-hit economy of the state. Adequate training will be given to the people for their skill upgrade if required.

5. Chandigarh Launches Mobile App “CHDCOVID” to provide COVID-19 Related Information: A newly developed android based mobile app named “CHDCOVID” has been launched by the Government of Chandigarh, to provide all information related to COVID-19 in Chandigarh. The Governor of Punjab and Administrator of UT of Chandigarh, Vijayender Pal Singh Badnore inaugurated the app on 3rd May 2020. Upon downloading, the app will act as a single point platform where people can access all the guidelines, orders and notifications issued by Administration and Government of India. The app has been developed in-house by the Society for Promotion  of IT in Chandigarh (SPIC).

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. IEA has released Global Energy Review 2020 report: International Energy Agency (IEA) has released its Global Energy Review 2020 report projecting 6% global energy fall in 2020. The year will observe the steepest decline in 70 years and India’s demand will decline for the first time. This will be steepest decline in percentage terms in 70 years and the largest ever in absolute terms. Global oil demand is projected to drop by 9%, coal at 5% and electricity at 20%.

Note: IEA’s Headquarters (Secretariat): Paris, France.

2. NAM summit 2020 held: A virtual summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) held on 4th May on the initiative of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, who is the NAM Chairman. PM Narendra Modi participated in the virtual summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). The theme of NAM summit 2020 is “We are together against COVID-19”. With the unanimous support and consent of member countries, Azerbaijan assumed the chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement in 2019-2022.

3. Research & Development Statistics and Indicators 2019-20 report released: R&D Statistics and Indicators 2019-20 report is released based on the national S&T survey 2018 by NSTMIS, Dept of Science and technology. As per the report, India’s gross expenditure in R&D has tripled between 2008-2018 and India is placed 3rd among countries in scientific publication as per NSF database. Also, India is ranked at 9th position in terms of Resident Patent Filing activity in the world. The survey included more than 6800 S&T Institutions.

4. Russia to launch first satellite to monitor Arctic climate this year: Russia will launch first ‘Arktika-M’ satellite for monitoring Arctic climate this year at the end of the year. It is planned to be launched for 2020. The satellite will be launched by Soyuz -2,1b carrier rocket with frigate booster. The remote sensing Artika-M will monitor the  meteorological conditions in the polar region.

5. International Firefighters’ Day: 4th May: The International Firefighters’ Day (IFFD) is observed on May 4 every year since 1999, to recognise and honour the sacrifices that firefighters make to ensure that their communities and environment are as safe as possible. The day was instituted, after the deaths of five firefighters in tragic circumstances in a bushfire in Australia on 2 December 1998.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. New Zealand Cricket announces ANZ Cricket Awards: The Annual New Zealand Cricket Awards has been announced by New Zealand Cricket. The awards were presented online for the first time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Here is the complete list of Annual New Zealand Cricket Award winners:

ANZ International Men’s ODI Player of the Year: Kane Williamson

ANZ International Women’s ODI Player of the Year: Suzie Bates

ANZ International Men’s T20 Player of the Year: Ross Taylor

ANZ International Women’s T20 Player of the Year award: Sophie Devine

2. Australia abolishes the use of saliva to shine ball under COVID-19 guidelines: Australia will not allow the use of saliva or sweat to shine the ball once cricket training resumes in the post-COVID-19 world. Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in consultation with medical experts, sporting bodies and federal and state governments, has come up with guidelines putting such restrictions. The framework, which outlines a staged return to play, has three stages: Level A, Level B and Level C. Currently, restrictions on sport are outlined at "Level A".

Note: Capital of Australia: Canberra; Prime Minister (PM) Australia: Scott John Morrison; The currency of Australia: Australian Dollar.

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. RBI cancels the licence of The CKP Co-operative Bank Ltd., Mumbai: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has cancelled the licence of “The CKP Co-operative Bank Ltd., Mumbai” due to non-compliance to various sections of Banking Regulation Act and RBI Act. The license has been cancelled with effect from the close of business on April 30, 2020. As a result “The CKP Co-operative Bank Ltd., Mumbai” is prohibited from conducting the business of ‘banking’ which includes acceptance of deposits and repayment of deposits. Upon liquidation of the bank, the depositors will receive repayment of his/her deposits up to a monetary ceiling of Rs 5 lakhs from DICGC.

OBITUARIES

1. Justice Ajay Kumar Tripathi passes away: Judicial Member, Lokpal of India, Justice Ajay Kumar Tripathi passed away after getting infected from novel Coronavirus. He took the charge of Additional Judge Patna High Court in 2006 and took oath as Permanent Judge of the High Court in 2007. He was sworn in as the Chief Justice of Chhattisgarh High Court in 2018. Justice Tripathi took oath as a Judicial Member of Lokpal of India on 27th March, 2019. He played an important role in setting up the Institution of Lokpal of India. He was a graduate in Economics (Hons) and studied law at Campus law Centre, Delhi University.